Richard Jenkinson,

Kendal Town Hall

Richard Jenkinson is, I believe, the first cellist to give an unaccompanied solo recital for the Kendal Midday Concert Club. In a ‘Bachian sandwich’ of a programme catering for all tastes – a trio of 1970s works by Britten, Lutoslawski and Ginastera encompassed by two Suites by J S Bach – he shared two major interests of his performing career with an audience that fully appreciated the extensive variety of his (as he described it) feast of good things.

The modern pieces – all thematically connected – were audibly and ‘academically’ challenging to most in the hall. Some were quirky, all were dissonant and each posed many technical hurdles, the deciphering of which was fun to watch. But both wonder and admiration were there because these works require dexterity, musicianship and stamina of the highest order for successful presentation – all were there in bountiful abundance.

Bach, however, is no less demanding. Here is ‘normality’, perhaps, with melody, harmony and counterpoint combining (not easy with just four strings!) to delight the ear. The performances of both suites - sensitively shaped and beautifully articulated – gave enormous satisfaction to the audience.

Brian Paynes